Less than a week to go until the results come through, and to be honest, I have no idea what to expect from DD1's results!

DD1 wants SHSG (so do I) and we are i/c. But I am undecided on whether to put WHSG as a 2nd choice (or use the excellent local comprehensive as 2nd choice) as I believe the pressure of WHSG from what I've heard, is immense. A school mum told me this morning, her friends' daughter is in year 7 and they're told if they don't get 10/10 in a classroom test for example, they get a detention. Surely this isn't so? Can a WHSG year 7 mum confirm?

And would this happen at SHSG too?

I know we shouldn't listen to all gossip, but this shocked me so I wanted to check the facts with you here, if possible.

Hi - we are also awaiting results next week and I am not sure what to expect either. I already have a DD at SHSG and her sister is keen to follow in her footsteps. We have never felt that kind of pressure, as long as your DD is accepting that there will be lots of likeminded girls that are very bright some exceptionally so. SHSG seems to keep things in check and offers so many opportunities for the girls to shine !! Sport, Music or academically to mention a few. I can't speak for WHSG but DD1 has friends there and I have never heard that kind of pressure. If there is any pressure it normally comes from the girls themselves.

I'm sure there must be a WHSG parent lurking somewhere Pushymother, where are you?). Our is in year 10 at Southend, as far as we can work out in top sets generally and even has some friends who are as 'relaxed' as she is about schoolwork . Mine you, she can usually find someone to lend her some class notes should she need them, so some of them must be a bit more organised than she is.

As for Westcliff, DS2's year 9 friend seems quite happy there and; only stress she has voiced to me is how much easier it is to trip over a more junior girl, now that the annual intake is a whole class bigger. I know they used to get detentions for being found in possession of chewing gum (not even actually chewing it), so I suspect the school is possibly a bit stricter than SHSG generally. We have near neighbours who have had all three girls go there, though - if life there was so unbearable, one would assume that the middle and youngest would have been on the train to Southend East instead of walking up the road with their sister.

_________________Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

I think there are a lot of rumours and myths about the selective schools, "overly strict" "exam factories" etc. I have two DSs at CRGS and worried before they went that the school would be too much for them and make them miserable. They are both completely different personalities, and quite different academically too, but both are thriving. The excellent range of extra curricular activities encouraged them both to join clubs and they made friends with like minded boys easily. Ignore silly rumours and get the best education for you child.

I think there are a lot of rumours and myths about the selective schools, "overly strict" "exam factories" etc. I have two DSs at CRGS and worried before they went that the school would be too much for them and make them miserable. They are both completely different personalities, and quite different academically too, but both are thriving. The excellent range of extra curricular activities encouraged them both to join clubs and they made friends with like minded boys easily. Ignore silly rumours and get the best education for you child.

Thanks everyone. I think Shakingmum you have hit the nail on the head - I am worried before there's even a need to worry, that my DD1 will struggle at a GS and it'll be too much for her! I guess I will try to put it out of my mind for the next week at least, as I may not even need to consider GS's!

Here I am!! I am loving the gossip which is not true. If it was true my DD would be in big trouble. She got a 3 out of 10 on the maths summer homework and no detention was received

My DD has settled in nicely and the homework has not been as heavy as I expected. I would suggest that you choose the school best suited for your DD and family.

We chose WHSG because of location and the fact that they were a science specialist school (when schools used to specialise in subjects). DD has talked about studying medicine since she was three so we felt it was the right place for her to pursue that avenue if she puts the work in .

We liked both schools and would have been happy with either one. As parents we were looking for the 100% 5 good GCSE pass rate unlike our 54% local comp pass rate. We also wanted her with like minded children instead of being called "weird" in primary for being academic.

The only negative that we have had to deal with was the fact that WHSG has more out of catchment girls which means that a lot of the high scorers are there.

My DD had a low pass and discovered when they all started comparing scores last week that she couldn't find anyone under a 322.

I pointed out that the head teacher said, "welcome to WHSG you have all earned your place here and should be proud of yourselves," on the first day. He didn't say, "only if you scored a 320 or above."

Only detentions my DD has seen have been for uniform infringements, like not have white socks for PE etc.

Also infringements for forgetting to take your history book to history. It takes three infringements to make a detention.

It is early days, but so far so good. Apparently, the creative writing club is the best thing since sliced bread

My DS is in yr8 at Whsb and often tells me the girls get an easier ride . He travels with them to school on the bus and often the girls finish homework before getting home and are allowed their phones on in school - so not sure about strictness. I think all grammar school expect 80/90% in tests otherwise how would they get such good results at GCSE level, if not drummed in at a younger age.

I know there's always idle gossip going around, but I'm glad I can come here and check if there's much truth in it as I certainly wouldn't be happy with my child getting detentions with anything less than 10/10, even for amazing GCSE results.

One day closer to the results since my post yesterday, come on! Hurry up! I'm already planning on how to tell her if she's not reached the required mark, because she's convinced she's going to pass, despite finding it tough on the day!

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